ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday had telephonic conversations with Saudi Arabia and Swedish’s counterparts to discuss the evolving Afghanistan situation after Taliban takeover.
“A peaceful Afghanistan is of great importance not only for the region but for the entire world,” the foreign minister said during the conversation with Saudi Arabia’s counterpart, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, today (Monday).
FM Qureshi hoped that Afghan leaders would move forward with an all-inclusive set up for durable peace in Afghanistan. He also urged the international community to play its role for reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.
The foreign minister thanked his Saudi counterpart for calling the meeting of OIC’s permanent representatives on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Both expressed satisfaction over the level of bilateral contacts regarding current situation.
“Pakistan has consistently advocated for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan as the best way forward and has been supporting efforts in that direction,” the minister added.
Talking to his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde on telephone, he underlined that no other country wants a peaceful and stable Afghanistan more than Pakistan, emphasizing that the immediate priority was to ensure safety and security of rights of all Afghans.
He said that as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan was fully facilitating several European countries, international organizations and media agencies to evacuate their nationals and others from Afghanistan.
The foreign minister also highlighted the importance of international community’s sustained engagement with Afghanistan. “The world must show solidarity and support with the people of Afghanistan, both in the humanitarian arena and economic sustenance,” he added.
The Swedish Foreign Minister conveyed her government’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation of Swedish Embassy staff and others from Kabul.
Both the Foreign Ministers expressed the resolve further to strengthen bilateral relations in all spheres especially in trade, education and innovation.
